Jaguar I-Type 6 Gen3 electric racer breaks cover
Gen3 Formula E racers promise faster, more exciting motorsport - here's what Jaguar will race with
The ninth Formula E season is right around the corner and teams have been busy showing off their best attempts to hide the wedge-like styling of the new third generation racer. Porsche and newcomers McLaren have already shown their hand for the 2023 season, now it’s Jaguar’s turn. This is the I-Type 6, the “most advanced all-electric Jaguar race car ever.”
Of course it would say that, because Formula E is both a spec series and, arguably, the pinnacle of EV motorsport. But look past the clunky ‘Gen3’ car’s looks - neatly disguised by Jaguar’s new half-white, half-black livery - and you’ll notice some major changes over the old car. Power from the rear-mounted electric motor is up from 340hp to 476hp, which, according to Jaguar, means cars are now capable of hitting 200mph. That’s a big deal, as the caveat to Formula E’s close racing has always been relatively slow and clunky cars.
Efficiency is the car industry’s trendy new buzzword and Jaguar’s not shy of using it. Like its competitors, the I-Type 6 now features a second motor up front that’s purely used for recovering energy under braking. And speaking of brakes, Gen3 cars don’t have conventional discs and pads at the back, as rear braking is handled exclusively through rear battery regen. The Gen3 car is slightly shorter and narrower than before, too, resulting in a 50kg weight saving. Pay attention, F1.
It all sounds very impressive, but the same can be said for every team on the 2023 grid. That’s the nature of spec racing. Though teams can develop their own electric motors and inverters, it’s still a restrictive series that’s recently undergone a manufacturer exodus. Mercedes, BMW and soon Porsche are all bowing out of Formula E, with Jaguar being one of a handful of carmakers sticking with it. But the company is adamant that there’s a lot to learn from Formula E, less from a hardware perspective and more from the efficiency side (there’s that buzzword again). That said, the race car’s inverter, an area that is open to development under Formula E’s regulations, could make its way into production when Jaguar rebrands itself as an “all-electric modern luxury brand" from 2025.
Ultimately, though, the I-Type 6’s primary role is to bring home the silverware. Jaguar’s Mitch Evans was this season’s runner up to Mercedes’ Stoffel Vandoorne. But as the German squad have pulled out of the series for the 2023 season, Jaguar will be hoping for a clearer run to the championship. Evans returns alongside Sam Bird for season nine, which kicks off in Mexico City on 14th January. The cars won’t be any louder, but Formula E is pinning its hopes on faster cars to win the naysayers over. We’ll be watching with interest.
Anyone listening at JLR?
Anyone listening at JLR?
Literally nothing since then, really, other than a warmed-over range and some nonsense about reimagining. Successive management teams should be ashamed that Lexus, who came onto the scene in the late 80s are a more credible brand now, let alone what Tesla have achieved. I'd not give Bollore a job running a back-street garage but I'm sure he'll slide into some lucrative posting.
However what is with the idea of restrictive rules and manufacturers leaving. Seems like a huge missed step, except for Jaag of course.
However what is with the idea of restrictive rules and manufacturers leaving. Seems like a huge missed step, except for Jaag of course.
I would guess its to do with keeping the costs down, while at the same time increasing the vehicle performance. If that's right, then I'd say they're getting there. The 1st gen cars made a big step to gen 2, and again another big step to gen 3. When I look at what the road car picture looks like, and what McMurtry did at the GFoS, I think Formula E performance will be pretty amazing in the not too distant future. Even this is not bad for a spec series - 200 mph. What will gen 4 look like?
FE in general is relatively low engineering input with spec batteries and chassis, but the control systems and inverter/motor tech has freedom and obviously there’s a team of strategists, mechanics and engineers who run the car.
However what is with the idea of restrictive rules and manufacturers leaving. Seems like a huge missed step, except for Jaag of course.
The horrible street circuits and contrived rules like Fan Boost put me off FE.
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